Tag Archives: The DL

I’m sooo tired, my phone number should be 1-800-Mattress. I’m so tired, if I go to an airport they’ll make me check the bags under my eyes. I’ll try to tell you where I’m at but don’t expect too much of me today.

Last night I went to the celebration of Mark Kamins’ lifeat Santos Party House and saw people I haven’t seen in decades and might never see again. I had the honor to introduce Konk, a band of note that hadn’t performed since 1986. All around me were familiar faces from an era that I enjoyed so much. The late, great Mark Kamins would have been happy. It felt right. The music was wonderful and the love in the hearts of attendees was anchored by his memory.

While "working the room," I was continuously reminded of nights and people lost in time and space. Tall tales were told. Some stories that were horrible at the time were comical when told of again. It was 30 years ago when we all danced together, made love, and knew we were oh-so-cool. We all felt so immortal.

Mark’s passing has seemed to define our mortality as never before. The arc of our lives took us to an alternative universe where we could play with others who also felt the call to the corners. From these corners, world-renowned artists, musicians, and personalities arose and all moved on. The creatures of the night went their separate ways as misspent youths adapted to a world of adult responsibilities. It took Mark Kamins’ passing to bring us back together.

If I wasn’t so exhausted, I’d head off to see the legendary Robin Byrd, who is doing a Q&A thing tonight at 7pm at The Duplex, 61 Christopher St. I personally have a thousand questions I’d love to ask her although I suspect not all of them have answers. I must stumble over to The DL for George Wayne’s Downtown 100 List party.

If I could muster up the energy, I might check out Goldbar, where” Live Flamenco” night is happening for the early birds from 9pm to 11pm, after which DJs Jonny "The Lover" Lennon, Louie XIV, and Chino are entertaining. “Future-themed Thursdays” include doo-wop, jazz, and karaoke. As the evening progresses, rock and hip hop will prevail. They seem to be trying to have fun over at Goldbar. A concept lost on so many operators.

Although I am too burnt out to tell you all about it, I must mention that The Love Showis on its way to Tokyo to shock and awe. Tonight they will have a send-off gala at Triskelion Arts, 118 N. 11th St., 3rd floor, between Berry and Wythe in Williamsburg. Due to its proximity to my apartment, this I can attend and after sleepwalk my way to my nearby bed. Please everyone say: Goodnight Mr. Lewis.

This Thursday, Sam Valentine and I will DJ at our weekly “Generation Wild” Rock Party at Hotel Chantelle. We will be joined by the legendary Lüc Carl. Luc is famous for lots of stuff and real good at things that get lost in the fluff that surrounds him. Although we have different approaches to life on this planet we are both grounded in rock. At Chantelle we play the stuff that makes them gag at most saloons. You won’t hear Blondie or the B-52s – not that those fantastic acts don’t have a place in my heart or my playlist… but they just don’t have a place on Thursdays, on the lobby level. Miss Guy and Michael Cavadias offer that downstairs and sometimes it can be mixed in on the glorious roof …but the lobby is rock and roll hoochie koo. If you, like my editor, don’t know what rock and roll hoochie koo is (editor’s note: watch it, Steve.), come by and ask one of us …although I think Nicky Delmonico, the tattooed go-go vixen will be better at explaining it.

In this photo by Eric T. White, Luc looks like the rock star that he is. I asked him to tell me all about it:

On Rock ‘n’ Roll At the age of 8 I got my first drum set. That same year in my father’s Dodge I discovered Playboy, Peppermint Schnapps, and ZZ Top. That’s the day I became a rock ‘n’ roller and I’ll never go back.

On St. Jerome’s At the age of 25, the woman I’d been working for handed me the keys to a brand new bar. A shitload of hard work and booze later, it became one of the world’s most significant rock ‘n’ roll bars. I left the bar just over a year ago, yet it remains the driving force of rock ‘n’ roll in New York City. It may be falling apart (good luck getting a cold beer or a working air conditioner) but they’re always fully stocked with Jameson and 20-somethings talking about decades they weren’t alive to experience.

On Lady Gaga At the age of 25 a girl walked into my bar and we instantly fell in love. (I found out later that at the time, she was only 20 years old with a fake ID). We dated off and on for over six years. She wrote a bunch of catchy pop songs and realized that if she walked around in public with a potted plant on her head the world would say “who is that?” and the tabloids would write stories about her. Her life, needless to say, completely changed, and I’m not the type of guy who can sit on someone else’s yacht sipping champagne. Unfortunately, to date someone who is never in the same country, let alone zip code, you had better be rich or be willing to live off of their money. I was neither.

Unfortunately, I get a bum rap. I could write four bestsellers and have 100 radio shows per week and the general public will still be more interested in the ex-boyfriend title. (You already thought about skipping the rest of the article…see what I mean?).

She’s an amazing woman and I wish her all the best in the world. Although I think we all know she already has it.

On SiriusXM I’ve been on-air there for nearly a year now. I love it. It’s the only place in the world where real-deal rock ‘n’ roll remains relevant. I can be found seven nights per week on either 38 Ozzy Osbourne’s Boneyard, or 39 Hair Nation.

On The Drunk Diet Somehow between all the partying and working my ass off I found time to write a book. It’s in stores all over North America and in Europe. It’s been featured in The New York Times, Penthouse, Vanity Fair, USA Today, Fox and Friends, Mens Health, Runners World, Bicycling Magazine, Self, etc. I also have a blog that features my insanity on a daily basis and gets over a million hits per year. LucCarl.com

On Ludlow Manor/ The DL Last summer my good friend and bandmate for nearly a decade, Georgie Seville, came to me about a business opportunity. The space was gorgeous and I was ready to get back into nightlife so it seemed like a win-win. I was hired to staff the second floor with bartenders and DJs and basically make sure no one was fucking up. A month later, I was in every local newspaper as the “owner” of Ludlow Manor with, of course, my ex-girlfriend’s name right next to mine because that’s the only way the publicists could sneak their way into the papers. I came to find out that the actual owners had lied to the entire staff, including myself, about having liquor licenses. It seems to me that if you want to open a club of that size in an old Jewish/Hispanic neighborhood and fill it full of uptown idiots listening to pop music, the first thing you should do is get all the proper permits. But what the hell do I know: I’ve only been in the business for 12 years.

On Hotel ChantelleRecently I was approached by Hotel Chantelle to DJ their Thursday night party and I was instantly excited. They’re doing something real. There are very few places in the world where I can play the music I want to play and actually have someone want to come listen to it. That’s the beauty of this city. When one bar fucks you over, there’s always another one right across the street.

Onward and upward. This Thursday the bar will be packed full of beautiful people with nothing to lose but a few useless brain cells. I’ll be behind my Mac playing music that was written before anyone ever heard of the Internet, with a smile on my face as big as my hair.

I’m completely confused by this event over at DL‘s rooftop tonight. Starting at 7pm, Cara Quici is presenting a party for the video release of "Fight," which is "the official remake of the Beastie Boys’ ‘Fight For Your Right (To Party)’." Dennis Rodman–yes, that guy–is hosting the event. I was asked if I wanted to ask Mr. Rodman some questions and indeed I may, but I don’t know what to ask. I’m thinking about things like these: WTF?, How could you?, Seriously?, What were you thinking? and maybe What was the food like? I like Dennis Rodman. I liked him as a baller and I like and always chuckle at his post B-ball celebrity career. I am curious to see what the crowd will be like.

Mondays are a curious affair. They can be the best or the most desperately boring. For a million years the smart set gathered at Butter, but that passed and to some extent Catch answers all the questions. For the downtowners, Bingo at Chantelle provides reliable fun from all the unusual suspects.On Monday the 22nd I will surely pop over to Rockwood II (196 Allen Street @Houston) to catch Rudely Interrupted, featuring the glorious Lorraine Lackie and bon vivant, author, scholar, man about town Anthony Haden-Guest. They will be performing songs from their new album. I will be there as I am curious to see what the crowd will be like.

And yes… I must keep my posts short to ease the burden of those over at BlackBook covering for my editor Bonnie Gleicher, who is off somewhere in our world of wonder betraying our trust–probably editing someone else–in some sunny paradise surrounded by? … I’m curious to know what that crowd looks like.

I had to take a vacation from my vacation. The good thing about my career(s) is that I am my own boss (I hope Amanda doesn’t read this). I can take off when I want to as I don’t have hours – just responsibilities. The bad thing about it is when I return, the work has not diminished and I’m slammed with more responsibility. Things left for my return need to be addressed immediately. The good news is I am loving DJing at "Renegade," a new Wednesday night party at The DL, 95 Ludlow St. This week, the amazing David Katz will join Sam Valentine and I on the second floor while Prince Terrance, Miss Guy, Michael Cavadias, and Carol Shark DJ upstairs on the enclosed roof. James Coppola and his cohorts fill the room with his eclectic following. I am in the process of renovating the space and I am pleased that it is looking good.

Thursday night, Seva Granik will offer Gavin Russom (DFA Records, LCD Soundsystem, Delia Gonzalez. Black Meteoric Star, Crystal Ark) presents with Nancy Whang (DFA, LCD Soundsystem),Nomi Ruiz (Jessica 6) and Druzzi (The Rapture). Other participants are Davis, MessKid and Jason Scott. This is a big deal since it’s the opening night of the DL’s new Thursday and I will certainly attend.Tonight I will be off to EVR,a place I DJ at every Wednesday, early in the night, for their cool after-work crowd. It’s Mikey Lights’ birthday party, and for me that’s a must. Mikey is…well, a lighting guy in NYC. That’s a field that is surely lacking in talent, even as lighting becomes even more important. He’s not the guy who hangs the chandeliers or skims the wallpaper. He is the guy that programs lighting arrays to enhance DJ shows. He also builds state-of-the-art lighting systems and installs them. He has worked everywhere and I expect club royalty to toast the young man with the funny hats. I am so excited to see the new Duane Park addition to the old Bowery Poetry Club space which opens this Friday. I will surely sneak a peek at Peekaboo Pointe and Medianoche and their gang . Tomorrow I’ll be back in line, back to normal, rarin’ to go. I promise.

Yesterday I walked past the shuttered-by-the-NY State-Liquor-Authority Ludlow Manor. The place was all lit up and looking ready to go. There was some action on the first floor where a real liquor license was granted. The upper floors were conspicuously unoccupied. There was a new unpainted exhaust vent on the Ludlow Street outer wall. Maybe it was always there, but I never noticed it. Having a real food component was a condition placed on the place to re-open. Someone said it would never re-open and I told them they were wrong; too much has been invested, too many jobs are at stake, too much tax revenue to be made. I wasn’t surprised today when an old friend and New York Nightlife Association honcho called me to tell me he was coming aboard to right all the wrongs. I asked him to send me an email all official-like, and here it is:

Due to an operational oversight during the launch of Ludlow Manor late last year, that occurred simply due to an excitement surrounding the opening, management of the space at 95 Delancey Street decided to regroup and focus on doing everything possible to deliver the best experience to their guests. To ensure this, they have brought in Paul Seres, President of the New York Nightlife Association, to handle day-to-day operations.

Today, the first step begins, as we are excited to announce the opening of The DL, a tapas restaurant located on the ground floor. The focus is on perfecting every aspect of the venue, and that starts with making sure The DL is delivering high-quality food and bringing a new experience to the Lower East Side. Over the next few months we will be introducing several new elements and look forward to making sure each step is executed properly, ensuring a great destination for our guests.

I’ll plead the Fifth about what I did over the long Fourth of July weekend. I was in Atlantic City for a night for the Borgata’s 10th Anniversary gala and went to BBQ’s and such. While everyone was watching fireworks I walked my skittish puppies and marveled at the brilliant fireflies as they pranced around us. Many meals at Champs, my new favorite spot. Things got back to normal a day or so ago and here I am again. Tonight I will open for DJ’s Stretch Armstrong, Liam McMullan, and Boogie Dash. The occasion is the birthday bash for Noel Ashman and Michael Bregman. Noel is the former owner of Plumm and NA and Veruka etc. If you want to know more, ask him … He’ll tell you all about it. Noel always gathers a slew, or is it a gaggle, of celebrities for his birthday event. This year is no exception, with luminaries including Stephen Baldwin, Luis Guzman, Patrick McMullan, Chris Noth, George Wayne, Caron Bernstein, Damon Dash, Bo Dietl, Bob and Susan Kravitz, and Nick Raynes heading the invite. Mint Model Management is also hosting. Grandmaster Melle Mel will perform. The shindig will take place on the sprawling, enclosed-when-it-needs-to-be roofdeck of DL (Ludlow and Delancey).

After my set ends at 11pm I will scoot across the street and DJ at the rock and roll Thursday party at Hotel Chantelle. There I will DJ from 11 till 4am. They will be celebrating the birthday of Amanda Noa, who is my wonderful, beautiful, and obviously nearsighted and hard of hearing girlfriend. I cant wait to see what she is wearing.

It’s hard for clubs to exist in vacuums. To thrive as the only place in an area. Hotel Chantelle and DL are not rivals. They feed off each other very well. In an age where there is no price of admission patrons love to hop around. Nearby dive bar Leftfield enjoys the thousands of patrons drawn to the bigger places nearby. The coexistance of these entertainment complexes with neighborhoods is a topic for another article.

Beautiful famous people model/author Kelly Bensimon and actor Boris Kodjoe will host club hero Unik Ernest’s Fifth Annual Edeyo Gives Hope Ball taking place at 7PM on Wednesday, June 27th at The DL (95 Delancey). This year, fabulous photog Nigel Barker will be honored and there will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres, cocktails by MEDEA vodka and VEEV and a live and silent auction and music by Etienne DeYans. This gatherings of the haves will benefit the have nots…Haitian children. The press release explains: "The evening will raise much-needed funds for the Edeyo Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the future for children in Haiti through education."

Since 2007 Unik Ernest made the inspiring decision to dedicate his birthday bash and give back. In lieu of gifts for the gifted and enlightened Mr. Ernest, guests will donate to the Edayo Foundation, who are "improving the future of children in Haiti by rebuilding dilapidated schools and providing students with a safe learning environment, as well as healthy food and water on a daily basis." Edayo means "Help Them" in Hatian Creole.

I asked Unik to tell us all about it:

You’ve been using your birthday to help people in Haiti for years. Please tell us about the event coming up. What will people be treated to and what will theycome away with? This is the 5th anniversary of Edeyo. It’s very important for everyone to feel they have seen and witnessed the growth and the development of the foundation as it relates to its unique projects. We also want everyone to feel they have made a significant contribution to that growth and that they are part of the empowerment and self-reliance of the children!

In the last five years, what has changed in Haiti? I think a few things have changed, I truly believe we have championed the education movement in the country. Sadly enough, it took a tragedy to change the perception of the world toward Haiti and a very significant part of that has been due the earthquake. Haiti has become a lot more attractive because of it, and now the world is jumping on-board to help. One of the biggest changes has also been the sheer number of people who are less well-off today than they were five years ago.

How are the celebrities and other participants brought together for this event? They all have stake in the growth of the foundation and have the ability to empower the children of Edeyo. Everyone involved, either as celebrity or participant, has knowledge of Haiti in some capacity due to the fact that we are educating them on the country and Edeyo’s mission.

What are you up to? My focus is the growth of the foundation and the much-anticipated launch of my international couture espresso and patisserie brand that I’m a co-owner of: Coco Safar. It will be as big as Starbucks. Also, my event for Pepsi is this July in St. Tropez.

Sorry I have been missing…been busy. I am happy to have nearly completed the design of The DL, that three-floor nightclub with the DOL (Dinner on Ludlow) attached. It looks swell, and I never want to leave it since it’s so much fun. The Wednesday night party with DJ Prince Terrence and the House of Fields crew is wonderful. I almost have an itch to get back in the game but, alas, staying up till 5am and dealing with the daily grind of nightlife is not for me anymore. I’m content to build the clubs and analyze and anecdote for you.

Next up is the opening of the front room of XL (512 W. 42nd St.) which has earned its own moniker: "Rosebud." I’m quite sure that this isn’t a Turner Classic Movie reference. XL is the go-to place for everyone who isn’t straight and narrow, which means you are certainly welcome if you are straight and not narrow minded. I designed the place to be warm and comfy. It is all walnut burls and rich veneers and plush seating. It is an ultra-lounge which functions as a quiet respite but can twirl and spin with all the bells and whistles when it needs to. I am very proud of it and will proudly attend the unveiling this Friday.

I’ve also been slammed finishing upthat coffee shop on 96th and Columbus. Birch Coffee is slammed from open to close. It was difficult to live up to the reputation of its brilliantly brewed coffee. And the restaurant out in Long Island I’m working on is six weeks out and still takes up a great deal of my time… but I will be filing regularly again.

The impending Memorial Day Weekend has tons of skilled bartenders, waitrons, and support staff heading east. This creates openings for jobs in the city where clubs will learn to lean on the tourist trade that will fill the void, especially on weekends. Thursdays become Fridays as the NYC in-crowd is still in town. This is an ideal opportunity for newbies to learn or hone their trades, as nightlife still pays the bills for artists that won’t want to starve, and students who pay their bills by serving swill.

Tonight marks a new beginning for The DL, a joint at 95 Delancey that was doing very well anyway…thank you very much. It’s luscious, sprawling, and enclosed rooftop brings the crowds – rain or shine, winter or summer. The launch of its Wednesday gala brings events on three floors, with notable DJs Prince Terrence, Carol Shark, Miss Guy, and Michael Cavadias on the top floor. Dirtyfinger and JLamar will be on the restaurant level as Sam Valentine and I recreate our rock and roll hootchie koo on floor two. I’m double dipping with an early gig at EVR, which attracts a totally adult fun crowd. My peers can pop by for a drink and still be asleep right after Letterman.

Seva Granik is behind this revival at The DL with partners Richie Romero and Bill Spector. I think this will a be back-in-the-day good time. Everywhere I go people pat me on the back and tell me how much fun they had in the "good ol’ days." They refer to me as "a legend," which always has me checking my pulse. To repeat some lyrics from my real "good ol’ days" …"These are the good ol’ days." Although I understand that I did some things back then that was all things to some people, I do very much like to be defined in the now. Now…tonight I will DJ 55 years of rock and roll from Carl Perkins to Rival Sons, and if you tell me I look good, I will smile but will be thinking less of you.

As I pointed out, The DL was doing fine before all this. Their restaurant serves serious food and they fill the place with great crowds who keep coming back for more. They will expand into more vigorously programmed weeknight soirees, timed to hit a warm weather season that sees them attracting throngs. I have been thinking about the first song for the new soiree and it will be "You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory’ by Johnny Thunders, a childhood friend. Yeah, I’ve been rolling and rocking for a minute.

Oh, lest I forget: Happy Birthday to Prince Terrence… Oh, and I’m back from that wedding in Puerto Rico, tanned from the hot sun and plump from mofongo. There may be a time, ladies and gentlemen, when you can truly say "Goodnight Mr. Lewis" as a future of quiet walks on endless beaches with puppies and my gal and friends on warm sunny days seems an inevitable conclusion to so many nights spent in so many loud rooms. I may end up swimming with the fishes after all, and the guy serving me Limber De Coco popsicles won’t think of calling me a legend.

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